Death threats to police in West Texas came from El Paso, Ju?rez

U.S. Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested an unemployed Pecos man for allegedly using computers in El Paso, Juárez and Fort Stockton to threaten to kill police officers and their families in towns across West Texas.

A criminal complaint affidavit stated that federal agents traced the threats to public-access computers at the Apple Store in Cielo Vista Mall, an Internet cafe in Juárez and the Fort Stockton Public Library.

On Nov. 9, HSI agents in Alpine began an investigation after death threats were posted in online forums, emails and videos targeting police and their families in Fort Stockton, Pecos, Big Spring, Midland and the Midland County Sheriff's Office.

Sometimes posting under the user name "El Diablo," Esparza in a message to Midland police allegedly threatened to place pipe bombs in public places on Christmas Day to "create carnage unimaginable," the affidavit stated.

The threats claimed a "green light" (an approved murder) had been placed on all police. Some threats named specific officers, including the Midland police chief. One threat offered a reward for the head of a Pecos police sergeant.

Documents stated the threats claimed police would be killed by car bombs, chemical weapons and even "special forces soldiers" sent to Fort Stockton.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement HSI spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa said the case was not linked to international terrorism or drug cartels. She said the investigation showed Esparza was in Juárez when some of the threats were made.

"HSI special agents did recover evidence from the vehicle that he was in when arrested that confirms he was serious about the threats that he was making," Zamarripa said. She declined to describe the evidence.

According to court documents, Esparza has a history of traffic tickets and arrests by the law enforcement agencies that he allegedly threatened. Documents stated Esparza's relatives previously told police that Esparza had mental health and drug-abuse problems and that he had a change in personality after his mother's suicide last month.

Today Esparza will appear at a detention hearing before a federal magistrate judge in Alpine.

If eventually convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

"HSI takes seriously all threats against law enforcement officers," said Dennis A. Ulrich, special agent in charge of HSI in El Paso.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com; 546-6102. Follow him on Twitter @BorundaDaniel